North Conway, NH – Cranmore Mountain continues to make financial investments in the New Hampshire ski and snowboard resort in North Conway with the addition of new activities, base lodge renovations, snowmaking and grooming improvements for the winter 2011-12 season.
This additional investment brings the 18-month total for the resort to over $7 million since the resort came under the ownership of CNL Lifestyle Properties, a Florida-based real estate investment trust, and management by the owners of Jiminy Peak in Massachusetts, in June 2010.
Cranmore announced it will continue to operate its Giant Swing summer attraction this winter alongside its popular snow tubing park and mountain coaster. The swing opened in July as part of the resort’s Mountain Adventure Park. The three outdoor attractions, in addition to skiing and riding, will offer visitors to North Conway a diversity of family activities augmented by an indoor activity center Cranmore is opening that will feature a bungy trampoline, Spider Climb and slide and two bouncy houses. The attractions and activity center will all operate weekends and holidays. Special combination tickets will be offered.
Cranmore’s owners have invested $100,000 in 40 new high-efficiency snowmaking tower guns, and the mountain’s snowmaking and grooming efforts will also be supported by a new Prinoth Bison groomer. The new snow guns are added to the 150 purchased over the last two winters. The guns produce more snow at a higher temperature with less energy used, allowing for more snow on the slopes earlier in the season.
Cranmore is also investing in significant additions to its ski and snowboard rental fleet. Partnering with Rossignol, Cranmore is adding new inventory featuring the brand’s new “Rocker” technology that promises to help skiers turn with less effort, carve more easily and float better through deep snow. The mountain will also offer high-end demo skis from Rossignol in addition to the upgrades to its standard rental fleet.
New for this winter, Cranmore will offer the longest day ticket in Mt. Washington Valley, with the introduction of a 6 p.m. close time on Saturdays and holidays from Christmas week until mid-March. Skiers and riders can now enjoy 9.5 hours of skiing at no additional cost. Cranmore will also introduce a “Half Day Anytime” four hour ticket, letting skiers and riders pick the hours of the day they want to recreate. Previously the half day ticket was only available from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. This new ticket offers the greatest flexibility for those who can’t fit in a full day of skiing into their plans.
Another special ticket deal is the new two-day online price of $89 for any two days, including Saturdays but excluding holidays, when purchased online in advance at www.cranmore.com.
In June, 2011, Cranmore moved its food and beverage operations to Centerplate, which currently operates food and beverage venues at 250 sports, entertainment and convention venues in North America. Centerplate will be investing over $250,000 in upgrades to Cranmore’s food venues that will include renovating the Eating House lodge to a full-service “sit-down” restaurant and bar, as well as the addition of the new “Kandahar Bar” on the top floor of the main base lodge. An additional cafeteria will be added on the lower level of the lodge.